maxilla
noun
max·il·la
mak-ˈsi-lə
plural maxillae
mak-ˈsi-(ˌ)lē
-ˌlī
or maxillas
1
a
b(1)
: an upper jaw especially of humans and other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused
(2)
: either of the two bones that lie with one on each side of the upper jaw lateral to the premaxilla and that in higher vertebrates bear most of the teeth
2
: one of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in many arthropods (such as insects or crustaceans)
Cite this Entry
“Maxilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maxilla. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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